Britain's new Ambassador to Georgia, Justin McKenzie Smith, has arrived in Tbilisi to take up his role. On arrival, Justin McKenzie Smith said:

"It is a pleasure to be in Georgia and an honour to be appointed as Her Majesty's Ambassador. I have been fortunate to visit Georgia several times in the past. I am delighted now to have the chance to live and work here. There are strong ties of friendship between Georgia and the UK. Looking ahead, there are exciting possibilities to expand these links further."

Mr McKenzie Smith will fully assume his Ambassadorial duties once he presents his Letters of Credence to the Georgian President and to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prior to his appointment as British Ambassador to Georgia, Mr. McKenzie Smith has worked in a range of roles in the British diplomatic service. His most recent post was as Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Mexico City. Previous overseas postings include Moscow and the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York. In the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, Mr McKenzie Smith has worked on issues relating to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the EU, OSCE, human rights and the media.